Thomas Cook sends 500 more UK staff packing

CRISIS-struck THOMAS COOK is axing more than 500 customer service staff in a desperate bid to slash costs.

The package holiday giant yesterday announced plans to close a site in Bradford — and send some roles overseas.

The cuts came a day after UK chief Ian Ailles told an industry conference that the firm needed a clear “consumer facing plan”.

He flew back from the Barbados meeting yesterday but declined to address the staff losing their jobs.

Furious union leaders said employees were paying for years of “mismanagement”. Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA travel union, said last night: “Thomas Cook is largely in the mess it is in because of the mismanagement of former chief executive

Manny Fontenla-Novoa.

“He was paid an astonishing £15million over four years as he drove the company towards the very edge of the cliff. Now hundreds of our members are going to pay the price of that mismanagement with their jobs. It’s a scandal.”